Obama Delivers His First Soaring Campaign Speech, But He's Not Packing The House Like Four Years Ago

Barack Obama delivered his stump speech to a crowd of about 14,000 in Columbus, Ohio this afternoon.

The capacity was over 18,000. So already there is a big contrast to his 2008 campaign where there wasn't a room Obama couldn't fill.

His slogan "Forward." is supposed to contrast with the Republicans who he claims are trying to take us "backwards." Pretty simple formulation.

Here are some of the highlights:

“Yes, there were setbacks. But we didn’t quit. We don’t quit. Together, we’re fighting our way back.”

“After a decade of war that’s cost thousands of lives and millions of dollars … the nation we need to rebuild is our own.”

“On issue after issue, we can’t afford to spend the next four years going backwards.”

“We are not returning to the days when you could be kicked out of the U.S. military because of who you are or who you love.”

“That’s what we’re fighting for … a bold America, a competitive America, a generous America, a forward-looking America, where everybody has chance to make of their life what they will.”

“If people ask you what this campaign is about, you tell them it’s still about hope. It’s still about change. It’s about ordinary people who believe that in the face of the greatest odds, we can make a difference in this country.”

“We will finish what we started. We’re still fired up. We’re still ready to go.”

So, there you have it. We'll post the full text and other highlights as they become available, and watch for the attendance at his second event in Virginia later today.